A 2-year-old child was severely burned and the child’s mother and her boyfriend were arrested and face charges in connection with the case, police said.

Police said John Carter Jr., 33, placed the child is a scalding hot bathtub and they said they do not believe it was accidental because of the way the child was burned.

Police said the boy is recovering from severe burns in a Pittsburgh hospital.

“The lower leg, back of the legs, the little boys’ private area. It’s horrible. It’s just one of the worst things I’ve seen,” said Steubenville Police Chief Bill McCafferty.

“Anybody who does this to a child. It’s just something I can’t even describe what I’ve seen is something that haunts me when I close my eyes,” said Sarah Alkire, the boy’s future stepmother.

Police said Carter is facing felonious assault charges and could spend as many as eight years in prison if he is found guilty.

Carter also faces three other misdemeanor charges. His bond is set at a $250,000.

A preliminary hearing is set for this Friday.